Gaming Computers: Much More Than An Elitist Option

Every once in a while we read scathing criticisms of those users who opt for the best, most powerful computers optimized for overclocking and the highest ratios in both resolution and image refresh rate. But when we’re talking about computing, it’s not at all crazy to aim for the high-end: your computer will stand up better, perform better for longer and will keep you in the game’s elite while the rest are thinking about their next expansion. This is the reason for being on gaming computers.

Also, gaming units offer a much more complete experience, as we will see. Better equipped software and visual design, better-developed ventilation systems, the best-performing types of Intel Core processors, state-of-the-art graphics cards, modular computing… But it’s better if we go point by point.

Technical configuration without half measures

Playing with a game console is fine. Seriously, it’s fun and fairly quickly available. But if what your eyes demand is the highest possible quality, the technical capacities with which the developers themselves created their games, the clear alternative is called PC.

To jump from 30 to 60 FPS or even higher rates, to change from a 720p dynamic resolution to 4K native resolution without re-scaling, multi-core performance, the highest-density shadow volume, high-resolution textures, natural motion blur, anti-aliasing, vertical synchronization that eliminates the hated tearing of some video games with a lot of screen movement… the advantages that a high-end PC offers are too many.

The presence of high-performance processors like Intel’s Core i7-7700HQ and Core i7-7820HK is also important. While other laptops advocate for lower-quality chips for reasons of cost and mobility, gaming units exploit to the maximum hardware which allows, for example, recording sessions and streaming with live comments, in which a more powerful processor is needed. If you want to use a laptop to play games, I recommend buying a laptop for at least $ 1,000.

To play on a PC is to play in a committed way, and if you are inclined toward eSports, is much more professionalized.

Software that is specially updated and optimized

Whether we’re talking about laptops or desktops, gaming systems within the OMEN by HP family have a series of programs that optimize and improve games. It’s that simple. HP, as well, offers factory-installed overclocking options in its line of gaming units, preventing the use of complicated or non-recommended tools if one doesn’t have previous experience.

The AMD or NVidia cards that are integrated into these computers receive constant updates to improve performance and security without complications. These patches not only maintain performance at a very high level with the passing of time, they also unlock distinct exclusive features for units that demand more RAM and faster processors.

Also, the control that we can have over this card —depth of color, softening of three-dimensional figures or benchmarking— would be completely unfeasible with interior category units. And to play The Witcher 3 to the maximum or Star Citizen with an ultra-configuration from the top of the range is something totally different than playing them using a PC that barely covers the minimum requirements called for by each studio.

Games and accessories for every taste

From the old StarCraft and WoW to Company of Heroes, from Path of Exile to the jewel S.T.A.LK.E.R., the shooter CS:Go, MOBA Dota 2, the eternal vices in Total War, the much-admired ArmA or simply Digital Combat Simulator, if your thing is combat flying, careful in details and with realistic graphics and physical behaviors, the games which today’s average console user is fighting for, you have on PC, almost always more economical, and with better configuration options.

Steam has millions of users sharing libraries -the Valve platform already has more than 10,000 titles-. And for those who don’t want to play on Steam, there are also services like Electronic Arts’ Origen and homes for the hidden indies like in the case of Itch.io. And that is without counting the awesome offers of Humble Bundle and the retro-compatibility of classic games from GOG.com, a subsidiary platform of the Polish studio CD Projekt.

Of course, we can also play with console controllers as a compliment to anything that is keyboard, trackball, trackpad, and mouse compatible. Which is… everything. To this can be added a wide range of specific high-performance accessories. In the case of laptops, also, their keyboards are always on a higher level than those of other units, with large, responsive keys and RGB lighting.

The game in its natural environment is also a more social experience. The functions for communicating in a gaming computer are enormous and many come implemented by the manufacturer since they come with software that diverts internet traffic to optimize the game online—which is known as network prioritization—.

If you like to chat with a microphone while you play, surely you already know that with a PC you have the possibility of interacting on a server with 60 users using TeamSpeak and an identical quantity from Ventrilo. No one imposes restrictions or cuts communication in the middle of the battlefield since these VoIP communication clients are given highest priority from professional models like eSports tournaments.

Factory-prepared for virtual reality

The low and mid-range PC’s don’t even think about connecting with virtual reality systems like Oculus Rift or Vive glasses by HTC. Both have become solid reference points and hundreds of developers all over the world have bet on them to create new types of games. Now Microsoft’s offer has also arrived, known as Windows Mixed Reality.

Given the technical needs of virtual reality and mixed reality systems, a very powerful PC is needed to be able to execute this content smoothly. This is where acquiring a certain category of gaming unit is again interesting, units which, as in the case of OMEN by HP, come certified to function correctly with any of the current primary visors.

Far from the Madding Crowd

Returning to the comparison between game systems, video consoles have very small ventilation systems because of the limitations of their construction. This lack of space results in fan blades working at forced speeds and can end up making a terrible noise when the heat of summer presses down.

In a good PC, you decide the speed at which these fan blades turn using control software. Systems like OMEN by HP have two ventilators with an imposing 120 millimeters and even an option of installing liquid cooling to function completely silently.

The ventilation around the edges of the case doesn’t only absorb more cubic meters of air to dissipate excessive heat in the most efficient manner but also generate more effective air currents, so it uses less energy. Therefore the gaming units by HP are comparatively efficient.

Be cool, my friend

Why should someone tell us how to dress every day? In the same way, we don’t need to feel obligated to buy a closed case with certain concrete specifications, with a predetermined design and aesthetics.

With gaming units, we can choose the colors of the LED lighting, the type of keyboard or mouse that we want to configure for it -with resulting macro keys, mouse pad, wired or wireless types of models- and even the possibility of cooling.

Definitely, a gaming PC with high requirements gives us extra freedom. This PC not only is ours, it also represents an extension of our preferences, of the habits of each owner. And as more and more players are discovering, although its cost may seem high, in the long term it ends up being more economical.